I never went to Basic Training. My Basic Training was OCS, Quantico, Virginia. We were told by recruits that went to Basic Training that OCS was tougher. My most vivid memory was completing seven different exercises, the maximum possible repetitions per exercise. Then we had to run five miles and keep up with a Lieutenant who had not done any other exercises. If you failed to keep up a Drill Sergeant was there to place his fist into your abdomin for motivation! Sounds cruel at todays standards, but it actually was a great motivator and you never let it happen again. The training was tough back then, but Marines remained tough in combat.

Ray Bonney
U.S. Marine 1969-1971
Edwardsville, IL
618-656-6971
fedagent180@yahoo.com